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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021
Vol. 8 Edition 35
It’s almost Gift day!
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Honouring ‘The Flying Dutchman’
Horseman extraordinaire recognized for his longtime leadership, mentoring By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Brent Wilken/Special to The Chatham Voice
Jessica Rochon, a.k.a. Red Angel, was busy with her paintbrush Monday as part of a group of volunteers enjoying the Chatham sunshine creating signs for “The Gift” which is returning to Chatham-Kent Nov. 20. The volunteer campaign asks residents to put one item on their front step to be picked up by volunteers and distributed to needy residents in time for Christmas. Toys, non-perishable food, gift cards and other items needed by those who are less fortunate are welcome.
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What better way to commemorate the rich life of an equestrian legend than to bring a horse to the party? Not just any horse, but one Peter Van Eerd once shoed for long-time friend Terry Jenkins. In marking the celebration of Van Eerd’s winning of the Make a Difference Award at Meadow Park on Friday, Jenkins of TJ Stables, showed up with Freedom, about as friendly a horse as you’d ever meet. The 21-year-old animal spotted Van Eerd, approached with Jenkins at his side, and nuzzled a familiar face. The moment brought smiles and tears to family and staff at Meadow Park. Van Eerd, known as The Flying Dutchman in equestrian circles, received the award from Jarlette Health
Services for making “an outstanding difference” in the lives of others. Jenkins said that’s exactly what Van Eerd did with her. “Peter Van Eerd was a mentor to me. He knew my dad. He’d have little competitions with my dad on who could teach a certain trick to a horse first,” Jenkins said, adding she’s known him since she was a little girl. But his accomplishments go well past Jenkins and TJ Stables. “He is a world renowned horseman. He was the youngest man ever on the Dutch equestrian team,” Jenkins said. “He came to Canada and took over the rodeo circuit. He won all kinds of championships. He’s done movies with his horses too.” Van Eerd was born in the Netherlands in 1931 and moved to Canada in the early 1950s. Continued on page 2
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